President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has declared that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is the recognised leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, insisting that former governor Nyesom Wike has no standing within the ruling party.
Bwala made the assertion on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Hard Copy, against the backdrop of heightened political tension in Rivers State, where the House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara.
According to him, the position of the APC national leadership is unambiguous, stressing that the party’s national chairman has clearly affirmed Fubara’s leadership role in the state.
“I align with the view expressed by the national chairman that Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC in Rivers State. Wike is not a member of the APC and therefore cannot speak on behalf of the party,” Bwala said.
He added that while Wike could be regarded as a leading figure within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers due to his tenure as governor, such influence does not extend to the APC.
“In the PDP, he may be seen as a leader because he was once governor and the party currently has no governor in the state. But within the APC, Governor Fubara is the undisputed leader,” he stated.
Bwala further noted that President Tinubu respects internal party democracy and the rule of law, and fully supports the APC leadership’s stance on the Rivers political situation.
Addressing the impeachment moves against Fubara, the presidential aide said the party expects that the governor should be allowed to perform his constitutional duties without interference, especially in light of court orders restraining the impeachment process.
“There are court orders stopping the impeachment. The party’s position is clear: no one should obstruct Governor Fubara from governing the state,” he said.
Bwala also clarified that Wike’s appointment as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory does not grant him authority within the APC, describing his role as service to the Federal Government rather than to the party.
“The President believes in rewarding service, but never at the expense of national interest or what is right. He gives room for participation, but not to undermine due process,” he added.
He urged all political actors in Rivers State to adhere to constitutional provisions, stressing that the APC’s recognition of Fubara as party leader should put an end to internal disputes.
Governor Fubara formally joined the APC in December 2025 after leaving the PDP and has since received the party’s endorsement for a second-term bid in the 2027 governorship election.
Meanwhile, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly recently initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, citing allegations of gross misconduct, including financial impropriety and constitutional violations.
